Effects of Approach and Avoid Mindsets on Performance, Self-regulatory Cognition, and Affect in a Multi-task Environment

Despite numerous studies of approach- and avoidant mindsets, relatively little research has addressed the impact of such motivational orientations on performance and emotion in a real-time, multi-task setting. A laboratory simulation is reported that examines the influence of an induced approach-centered, an avoidance-centered, and a “neutral” motivational mindset upon multiple aspects of task performance, self-regulatory cognition, and affect. Undergraduate females randomly assigned to one of three mindset conditions performed a simulated automobile drive across one practice and two experimental trials. Dependent measures included divided attention, behavioral indicators of driving “cautiousness” in relatively safe straight roadway sections as well as during more risk-filled driving, multiple aspects of self-regulatory thinking (including self-monitoring, intended effort, and self-administered consequences), and positive and negative affect. Results revealed that the avoidant mindset produced poorer executive attention (i.e., fewer correctly detected divided attention events), more “cautious” driving behavior and reduced performance variability (i.e., greater control) when driving on presumably safe, straight roadway sections, lower self-reports of intended effort, and greater negative affect relative to the approach mindset. Results are intepreted within a self-regulation-centered motivational framework. Implications of the multi-task simulation for the study of normal and disordered adjustment are considered.     

Peptidergic neurons in the snail Helix pomatia: Distribution of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems that react with an Antibody raised to the insect neuropeptide,leucokinin I

In this study, antiserum raised against an insect myotropic peptide, leucokinin I (DPAFNSWGamide), was: used for mapping leucokinin-like immunoreactive (LK-LI) neurons in the gastropod mollusc, Helix pomatia. Immunocytochemistry performed on both whole-mounts and cryostat sections demonstrated LK-LI neurons in all ganglia of the central nervous system (CNS), except the visceral ganglion. Altogether about 700 immunolabelled neurons have been found, with nearly one-half (46%) in the cerebral ganglia. A large proportion of the LK-LI neurons have small cell bodies and are likely to be interneurons. The most prominent LK-LI cell group is represented by the entire neuron population of the mesocerebri, which is the major source of a thick fiber bundle system, encircling and innervating the whole CNS. One single LK-LI giant neuron was found, which is located in the left pedal ganglion and is termed GLPdLKC (giant left pedal leucokinin immunoreactive cell). This cell has not been identified previously. The ganglion neuropils are heavily innervated by varicose LK-LI fiber arborizations. Some integrative centers, such as the medullary neuropil of the procerebri, reveal an extreme density of LK-LI innervation. All major peripheral nerves contain a large number of LK-LI axons, and LK-LI innervation is found in the musculature of different peripheral organs (buccal mass, lip, tentacles, oviduct, intestine). Among the peripheral organs investigated, the intestine contains a rich varicose LK-LI network, composed of both intrinsic and extrinsic elements. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) demonstrates a very high content of LK-LI material in Helix ganglion extracts (about 50 pmol/CNS). This is the first report on the occurrence of a substance resembling the myotropic neuropeptide leucokinin I in a phylum outside arthropods. Based on our immunocytochemical observations, a role for leucokinin-like peptides in both central and peripheral regulatory processes in Helix is suggested. According to double-labelling experiments, only a small number of the LK-LI neurons are labelled with an antibody to the vertebrate tachykinin substance P.     

Growth inhibition of estrogen independent MXT mouse mammary carcinomas in mice treated with an agonist or antagonist of LH-RH,an analog of somatostatin,or a combination

Summary Female BDF₁ mice inoculated with MXT (3.2) estrogen independent mouse mammary carcinoma were treated for three weeks with microcapsules of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist [D-Trp⁶]LH-RH, the antagonist SB-75, the somatostatin analog RC-160, or combinations. The lack of estrogen dependence of the tumor was proved by bilateral surgical ovariectomy, which had no effect. In two experiments, treatment with 25µg/day doses of each analog alone resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor growth as shown by a 40–53% inhibition of tumor volumes, 38–43% decrease in tumor weights, and histological signs of tumor regression. However, the combination of SB-75 or [D-Trp⁶]LH-RH with somatostatin analog RC-160 caused greater reduction of tumor volume (68 and 61%) or tumor weights (59 and 56%), than single analogs, and histologically the occurrence of apoptosis and decrease in AgNOR numbers was more pronounced in the groups receiving combination therapy. Specific binding sites for [D-Trp⁶]LH-RH, EGF, and IGF-I were demonstrated in the tumor membranes. The binding capacity of LH-RH receptors was decreased by treatment with the analogs, the greatest down-regulation being caused by combination therapy. A significant decrease in EGF binding capacity was observed after treatment with the LH-RH analogs, alone or especially in combination with somatostatin analog RC-160. The combination of these analogs also caused a reduction in IGF-I receptors. The finding that LH-RH agonists and antagonists and somatostatin analogs inhibit the growth of estrogen independent mammary tumors, and that combinations are more effective than single analogs, might be of practical importance in human breast cancer therapy.     

Relating cell and tissue mechanics: Implications and applications

The Differential Adhesion Hypothesis (DAH) posits that differences in adhesion provide the driving force for morphogenetic processes. A manifestation of differential adhesion is tissue liquidity and a measure for it is tissue surface tension. In terms of this property, DAH correctly predicts global developmental tissue patterns. However, it provides little information on how these patterns arise from the movement and shape changes of cells. We provide strong qualitative and quantitative support for tissue liquidity both in true developmental context and in vitro assays. We follow the movement and characteristic shape changes of individual cells in the course of specific tissue rearrangements leading to liquid-like configurations. Finally, we relate the measurable tissue-liquid properties to molecular entities, whose direct determination under realistic three-dimensional culture conditions is not possible. Our findings confirm the usefulness of tissue liquidity and provide the scientific underpinning for a novel tissue engineering technology. Developmental Dynamics 237:2438-2449, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ser80Ile mutation and a concurrent Pro25Leu variant of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">VHL</Emphasis> gene in an extended Hungarian von Hippel-Lindau family

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by development of cystic and tumorous lesions at multiple sites, including the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, epididymis and eyes. The clinical phenotype results from molecular abnormalities of the VHL tumor suppressor gene, mapped to human chromosome 3p25-26. The VHL gene encodes two functionally active VHL proteins due to the presence of two translational initiation sites separated by 53 codons. The majority of disease-causing mutations have been detected downstream of the second translational initiation site, but there are conflicting data as to whether few mutations located in the first 53 codons, such as the Pro25Leu could have a pathogenic role. In this paper we report a large Hungarian VHL type 2 family consisting of 32 members in whom a disease-causing AGT80AAT (Ser80Ile) c.239G>A, p.Ser80Ile mutation, but not the concurrent CCT25CTT (Pro25Leu) c.74C>T, p.Pro25Leu variant co-segregated with the disease. To our knowledge, the Ser80Ile mutation has not been previously described in VHL type 2 patients with high risk of pheochromocytoma and renal cell cancer. Therefore, this finding represents a novel genotype-phenotype association and VHL kindreds with Ser80Ile mutation will require careful surveillance for pheochromocytoma. We concluded that the Pro25Leu variant is a rare, neutral variant, but the presence such a rare gene variant may make genetic counseling difficult.     

Uniparental disomy 7 in Silver--Russell syndrome and primordial growth retardation

Maternal uniparental disomy for the entire chromosome 7 hasso far been reported in three patients with intrauterine andpostnatal growth retardation. Two were detected because theywere homozygous for a cystic fibrosis mutation for which onlythe mother was heterozygous, and one because he was homozygousfor a rare COL1A2 mutation. We investigated 35 patients witheither the Silver-Russell syndrome or primordial growth retardationand their parents with PCR markers to search for uniparentaldisomy 7. Four of 35 patients were found to have maternal disomy,including three with isodisomy and one with heterodisomy. Thedata confirm the hypothetical localization of a maternally imprintedgene (or more than one such gene) on chromosome 7. It is suggestedto search for UPD 7 in families with an offspring with sporadicSilver-Russell syndrome or primordial growth retardation.     

Einflu\ vonBordetella pertussis auf das lymphatische Gewebe von Mäusen

Zusammenfassung Verglichen mit phänotypisch normalen Kontrolltieren fanden sich bei NMRI-Mäusen mit kongenitaler Thymusaplasie nur wenige Peyersche Plaques, die zudem nur aus diffusen Lymphocytenansammlungen bestanden. Auch die Milzfollikel waren erheblich verkleinert, wobei die periarteriolären Follikelbereiche gelegentlich zellärmer erschienen. Das wei\e Blutbild der thymuslosen Tiere war durch eine mä\ige Lymphopenie charakterisiert. Obwohl die Milzen der Mäuse mit kongenitaler Thymusaplasie keine Verringerung der Zahlen an präexistenten 19S-Hämolysin-bildenden Zellen aufweisen, waren nach Erstimmunisierung mit 4·10⁸ Schaferythrocyten nur minimale Zahlen an 19S-Produzenten und 7 S-Produzenten nachweisbar. Die sekundäre antigene Stimulierung mit 4·10⁸ Schaferythrocyten führte zu keiner nennenswerten Gedächtnisreaktion, was anzeigt, da\ die Bildung von Gedächtniszellen ein thymusabhängiger Proze\ ist. Die alleinige intraperitoneale Injektion abgetöteter Zellen von B. pertussis führte zu Hypersplenie, Leukozytose und Vermehrung der präexistenten Zahlen an 19S-Hämolysin-bildenden Zellen. Im Gegensatz zu Normaltieren, wo die Leukocytose durch eine Vermehrung von Granulocyten und Lymphocyten charakterisiert ist, fehlte bei den thymuslosen Tieren die Lymphocytenvermehrung. Der Zunahme der Blutgranulocyten entsprach eine verstärkte Granulopoese in Leber und Milz. Bei Normaltieren fand sich nach Erstimmunisierung durch simultane Applikation von 4·10⁸ Schaferythrocyten und 3·10⁹ abgetöteten Zellen vonB. pertussis eine verstärkte und verlängerte Produktion von 19S- und besonders 7S-Hämolysin-bildenden Zellen, verbunden mit einer verstärkten Präparation des lymphoretikulären Gewebes für die anamnestische Reaktion. Bei den Mäusen mit kongenitaler Thymusaplasie beschränkte sich der Adjuvanseffekt allem auf die Frühphase der immunologischen Primärreaktion, was seinen Ausdruck in einer deutlichen Vermehrung der 19S-Produzenten und einer nur geringgradigen Vermehrung der 7S-Produzenten fand.

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Influence ofBordetella pertussis on the lymphatic tissue of miceVIII. The influence ofBordetella pertussis on the primary and secondary immune potential of thymusless (nude) mice

As compared to phenotypically normal controls, in the intestine of NMRI mice with congenital aplasia of the thymus (nude) only small numbers of Peyer's patches could be detected, which consisted of relatively diffuse accumulations of lymphocytes. The splenic follicles were likewise considerably reduced in size, whereby the thymus-dependent areas occasionally appeared to be deficient in lymphocytes. Furthermore, the thymusless mice were found to have blood lymphopenia. Although the spleens of nude mice contained rather enhanced numbers of pre-existing 19S hemolysin forming cells, only small numbers of 19S producers and very poor numbers of 7S hemolysin-forming spleen cells were demonstrable after the primary immunization with 4·10⁸ sheep erythrocytes. Secondary antigenic stimulation with an equal dose of the erythrocyte antigen did not result in a noteworthy secondary immune response. This evidently indicates that the production of memory cells is a thymus-dependent process. A single intraperitoneal injection of 3·10⁹ pertussis organisms led to splenomegaly, blood leukocytosis and augmentation of the pre-existing 19S hemolysin-forming spleen cells. Whilst in normal controls the blood leukocytosis was found to be due to an increase in both lymphocytes and granulocytes, in nude mice the leukocytosis was solely caused by the increase in granulocytes, this being associated with increased granulopoiesis in spleen and liver. The primary immunization of normal controls with 4·10⁸ sheep erythrocytes and 3·10⁹ pertussis organisms led to an increased and prolonged development of both 19S and 7S hemolysin-producing spleen cells. Furthermore, the bacterial adjuvant increased the process of priming for the secondary immune response. Unlike to this, in mice with congenital aplasia of the thymus adjuvancy of pertussis organisms was restricted to the early phase of the primary immune response, as is documented by the distinct augmentation of 19S producers and a poor increase in the numbers of 7S hemolysin-forming spleen cells.

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Diese Arbeit wurde durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft gefördert.